Nailing device



Feb. 17, 1948. BRIIDEIGROQM 2,436,161

NAILING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1946 F401. 4 EB/DEGQo/W.

1 I N V EN TOR.

KITTOEA/EYS.

Patented Feb. 17, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I mfili'zm Paul L. Bridegroom, Leitcrs Ford, Ind. Application February 1. 8:38:11. 844,787

1 18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in nailing devices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device adapted for use in driving nails by hand which is so constructed that a nail is accurately-and firmly held thereby in desired position preparatory 'to and during hammering there of and by which initial hammering can be done without danger of striking the hands with the hammer.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which has a nail-containing magazine and means for transferring nails from the magazine to a nailing chamber quickly and by a simple manual manipulation.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which has a nail-driving ram and means for gripping and positioning a nail while it is being driven.

A further object is to provide a device of this character comprising a frame member carrying a nail-positioning member and a ram which mounts a second nail-positioning member.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention,,the numeral l designates a rigid tubular member which is open at its opposite ends. Member H1 is cut away at its lower portion at H! for a portion of its length slightly longer than the length of the longest nail which the device is intended to accommodate. The opening provided by the cutaway portion extends longitudinally from the lower end of the tube and is preferably wide enough to permit the user to insert his finger, preferably his thumb. laterally therein. The circumferential dimension of the cut-out is preferably less than 180 deg. and may vary according to the diameter of the tube within limits which satisfy the requirements for free finger insertion and for strength and rigidity of the tube.

A centrally apertured partition'ifl spans the tube adjacent to and above the cut-out I2. This partition is preferably adjustable longitudinally of the tube. For this purpose it is provided with a cylindrical flange it having a snug sliding fit in the tube. A set screw I8 is threaded in a bore in the tube and bears against the flange it in I tures of partitions l4 and 20 to be guided and positioned thereby, and is of a length equal to or slightly greater than the length of tube ID. A transverse plate 28 encircles the shaft between the partitions 14,10 and is normally pressed against partition M by a coil spring 30 whose opposite end bears against partition 20. A cross pin or other suitable member 32 .serves either to secure plate 28 to ram 28 or to transmit downward thrust of said pin to said plate and through said plate to said spring.

The lower end of' ram 26 is positioned at or below the upper end of cut-out i2 and preferably has a longitudinalprojection 8t formed therein at the side thereof opposite from cut-away H. A wire spring is secured at 36 to the lower end of the ram and includes a pair of substantially horizontal and parallel spring arms 38 projecting laterally from the ram at a level spaced below the inset end face Ml of the ram -a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the head of a nail. The spring arms 38 are spaced apart a distance intermediate the diameter of the shank of a nail and the diameter of the head of a nail. The portions of the spring arms 38 adjacent and immediately below the ram are bent at 12 in a manner to hold the head of a nail supported thereby in spring pressed engagement with the projection. 35 of the shaft. The spring arms project through cut-out l2 and terminate in outturned portions M preferably spaced from said tube.

A second spring is mounted adjacent to the lower end of the tube by means of a bracket 48 spaced apart less than the diameter of the shank of a nail.

A nail container 54 having a releasable closure 56 and a plurality of partitions 58 parallel to the tube is positioned alongside the tube. A clamp 60 fixedly secured to the container encircles and 3 grips the tube ID to secure the container to the tube in selected longitudinal adjustment. The lower end wall of the container has inclined side portions 62 and a central portion having a longitudinai slot 64 therein open at the end adjacent to the tube ID. The partitions 58 are rectangular, whereby their lower edges terminate spaced above the slotted central portion of bottom wall 62. A spring 66 has a free end portion extending transversely of and at least partially across the slot 54 adjacent to the open end of said slot. The slot 64 is of a length'substantially equal to the width of the container 54, and of a width greater than the diameter of a nail shank and less than the diameter of a nail head. The spring arms 38 extend substantially in alignment with and terminate in close spaced relation to the edge of the slotted central portion oi. the container base.

In use. the parts are adjusted according to the size of the nails to be used. These adjustments include the adjustment of partition 20 longitudinally in the tube so that the ram 26 is adjusted to position the spring arms 38 from the fixed spring 48-50 a distance slightly less than the length of the nail. In making this adjustment, it is necessary that the spacing of the end face 40 of the ram from the bottom edge of the tube shall be greater than the length of the nail. The nail container 54 is then adjusted longitudinally on the tube so that the slotted central portion of the bottom of the container is aligned with and at the same elevation as the spring arms 38. A supply of nails is then inserted in the container 54 with the heads thereof uppermost, the cover 58 is closed and latched, and the device is ready for use.

When the device is held upright, the nails will feed automatically into the slot 64 of the contamer by virtue of the inclined panels 62 thereof and are suspended at their heads which are too large to pass through the slot. Thus, in use, there will always be a plurality of nails filling the slotand suspended from the container. The spring 66 serves to prevent release of these nails through the open end of slot 64 incident to vibration and impact.

As nails are successively required, the user presses the nail which engages or is nearest to the spring, Past said spring and through the cut-out l2 of the tube to a central position substantially coaxial with the ram 26. It will be observed that this manipulation can be accomplished very easily while the user is holding the tube ill upright, by the thumb of the hand which grasps the tube. Only a swinging and pressing action of the thumb or other finger upon the nail is required, because the nail passes from the slot 64 into the space between the spring arms 38, and its head slides upon said spring arms as it is pushed into centered position in the tube. When the nail reaches centered position, the spring portions 42 serve to press against the nail shank to hold the nail head in engagement with ram projection 36 with its upper surface underlying and substantially in engagement with the end surface 40 of the ram. The free lower end of the shank of the nail is pressed into the arcuate portion 48 of the bottom spring by the same nail-feeding finger action. Thus the nail is held in desired and operative position substantially coaxially with the ram by th two springs. The tube I0 is then positioned in end engage,- ment with the work and centered at the point at which the nail is to be driven. This position can be seen through the cut-out l2, so that accurate positioning can be visually determined. Then, while the tube is so held, the upper end of the ram 26 can be struck by a hammer. The ram transmits the hammer blows lengthwise to the nail to drive it into the work. As successive hammer blows are struck, the ram is likewise driven down, so that it remains in operative blow-transmitting relation to the nail head. In other words, the engagement of the spring parts 42 under the nail. head prevent the ram from returning to its starting position under the pressure of spring 30. After several blows have been struck, so that the nail is properly started and is firmly lodged in the work, and preferably before the ram reaches a depressed position low enough to fully compress the spring, the device is disengaged from the nail. A slight lateral pull of the device to disengage the portions 42 and 48 of the two springs from the nail shank is sufficient for this purpose. In this connection, the nail head will now be holding the upper spring 38 below the bottom of the nail container, so that a sharp quick lateral pull frees the device from the nail, with the cut-out l2 accommodating the release. Thereupon, the ram is returned to starting position by spring 30. The nail, so started or set, can .then be driven home without requiring gripping thereof by the fingers.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is apparent that the device may be modified within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, guide means carried by said frame, a spring pressed ram sliclable lengthwise of said frame and carried by said guide means, resilient means carried by the lower end of said ram for holding the headed end of a nail, and resilient guide means adjacent to the lower end of said frame for holding the shank of a nail parallel to the axis of said ram.

2. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, guide means carried by said frame, a spring pressed ram slidably carried by said guide means, releasable means carried by said frame for engaging and guiding the shank of a nail, and releasable means carried by the lower end of said ram for supporting the headed end of a nail below and adjacent to the end of said ram, a nailholding container carried by and positioned alongside the upper end of said frame and having a slotted bottom, and guide means carried by said last named means and terminating adjacent to said bottom slot for guiding the feeding of nails to said nail-engaging means.

3. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shlftable iongitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, and nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, resilient means normally urging said ram to an upper limit posi tion, and stop means adjustable on said frame for defining said limit position.

4. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, and nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, said frame constituting a rigid tube having an elongated nailreceiving opening therein at its lower end of a size to permit insertion of the finger of a user therein.

5. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, and nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, said ram having a longitudinal oil-center projection at its lower end, said nail-holding means being resilient to urge and position a nail with its head in engagement with said projection and below and adjacent to the remaining end portion of said ram.

6. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, and nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, said nail-holding and nail-guiding means each comprising a spring having a central nail socket and guide portions projecting laterally therefrom and clear of said frame.

7. A'nailing device comprising an' elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, a nail container carried by said frame and having an outlet adapted to automatically discharge nails to a feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nail guiding means.

8. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by .the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, a container for headed nails carried by said frame and having a restricted bottom opening narrower than the nail heads and adapted to automatically discharge nails to a suspended feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means, said ram having a spring pressed normal position defined by an adjustable stop, said container being adjustably mounted on said frame.

9. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by' the lower end of said frame, a nail container car ried by said frame and having a narrow opening in its bottom adapted to automatically discharge nails to a suspended feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means, and spring means positioned at the discharge end of said opening fornormally restraining a nail against release from feeding position,

10. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame. a container for headed nails carried by said frame and adapted to automatically discharge nails to a feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nailguiding means, said nail container having a. bottom with a narrow nail discharging slot centrally thereof open at its end adjacent to said nailholding and nail-guiding means in which the nails are suspended from their heads, said bottom sloping toward said slot.

11. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame. nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, a container for headed nails carried by said frame and adapted to automatically discharge nails to a feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means. said nail container having a bottom with a narrow nail discharging and suspending slot centrally thereof open at its end adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means, said bottom sloping toward said slot, and a spring normally closing the open end of said slot.

12. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid frame, a ram shiftable longitudinally in said frame, nail-holding means carried by the lower end of said ram, nail-guiding means carried by the lower end of said frame, a nail container carried by said frame and adapted to automatically discharge nails to a suspended feeding position adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means, said nail container having a bottom with a narrow slot centrally thereof open at its end adjacent to said nail-holding and nail-guiding means, said bottom sloping toward said slot for discharge of said nails through said slot to said suspended feeding position, a spring normally closing the open end of said slot, and a second guide extending between said slotted bottom and said nail-holding means.

13. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid tube having an elongated cut-out at its lower end, spaced guides in the upper end of said tube, a ram slidable longitudinally in said guides, a spring urging said ram to an elevated position, a resilient member carried by, the lower end of said ram for holding the headed and of a nail therebeneath and a resilient nail guide fixedly carried by the lower end of said tube and cooperating with said first named resilient member to position a nail in alignment with said ram.

14. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid tube having an elongated cut-out at its lower end, spaced guides in the upper end of said tube, a ram slidable longitudinally in said guides.

a spring urging said ram to an elevated position, a resilient member carried by the lower end of said ram for holding the headed end of a nail therebeneath and a resilient nail guide fixedly carried by the lower end of said tube and cooperating with said first named resilient member to position a nail in alignment with said ram, said resilient members each having lateral guide portions projecting therefrom and extending through said cut-out.

15. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid tube having an elongated cut-out at its lower end, spaced guides in the upper end 'of said tube, a ram slidable longitudinally in said guides,a spring urging said ram to an elevated position, a resilient member carried by the lower end of said rain for holding the headed end of a nail therebeneath and a resilient nail guide fixedly carried by the lower end of said tube and cooperating with said first named resilient member to position a nail in alignment with said ram, said resilient members each having lateral guide portions projecting therefrom and extending through said cut-out, a nail container having a discharge passage, and means for adjustably mounting said container on said frame with its discharge passage juxtaposed to the guide portions of said ram-carried nail-holding member.

16. A nailing device comprising an elongated rigid tube having an elongated cut-out at its lower end, spaced guides in the upper end of said tube, a ram slidable longitudinally in said guides, a spring urging said ram to an elevated position, a resilient member carried by the lower end of said ram for holding, the headed end of a nail therebeneath and a resilient nail guide fixedly carried by the lower end of said tube and cooperating with said first named resilient member to position a nail:e in aligfiimenit wilt said {331. said REFERENCES CITED resilient mem rs eac hav ng a era 3 e portions projecting therefrom and extending through 32 ifig aigg s are of record m the said cut-out. a nail container having a' discharge p passage, and means for adj ustably mounting said 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS container on said frame with its discharge pas- N sage juxtaposed to the guide portions of said g f ram-carried nail-holding member, and resilient 1985'878 mm means carried by said container for normally re- 1815'066 Mama; "I i 1931 straining release of nails through said discharge 1 Raebum Feb 1932 passage 2,1 7,741 Poizer May 17, 933

PAUL L. BRIDEGROOM. 8, Krantz Dec. 20, 1938 

